The Minnesota Timberwolves have surprisingly been the best team in the Western Conference.
Two seasons ago, the Minnesota Timberwolves were ridiculed for their over-the-top celebration after the 2022 play-in tournament. Then, in the 2023 playoffs, the Wolves looked like an afterthought once more when they got knocked out by the eventual-champion Denver Nuggets in just five games.
Eight months after that gentleman's sweep, Minnesota is perched atop the Western Conference like a fearsome hound howling at the full moon. Who's laughing now?
Nearly a quarter of the way into the 2023-24 season, the Timberwolves have emerged as a legitimate powerhouse in the West. Despite the fact that stacked teams like Denver and Phoenix have imposed their might early on, Minnesota has nevertheless emerged as a strong playoff contender. Boasting a 14-4 record after their first 18 games, Anthony Edwards and the rest of the pack have had plenty of reason to smile ear-to-ear.
How exactly have the Wolves pulled this off? Five aspects of their game command the NBA's attention.